Introduction

Are you stuck in a rut with that boring ponytail and basic bun? Not sure how to amp up your style? Do you think braids, updos, and twists are just too difficult to incorporate into your everyday look?

If this sounds like you, the styles found in DIY Updos, Knots, & Twists are going to change your look for the better! Here you will find more than thirty hairstyles ranging from twisted looks, like the Twists to Bun in Chapter 2; to intricate buns like the Double-Wrapped Bun in Chapter 3; to embellished braids, like the Inverted Fishtail Updo in Chapter 4; to upscale ponys like the Twisted Low Ponytail in Chapter 5. In addition, you’ll find a chapter that teaches you everything you need to know to successfully create the various updos in this book, including information on the materials you should have on hand as well as various techniques like how to reduce flyaways, back-comb your hair to add volume, get the perfect curl, and more!

So how can you master these on-trend, beautiful hairstyles? That’s actually the number one question I’m asked all the time! Was I born with the talent? Is my hair different somehow? The truth is that all it takes is practice, practice, practice. The more you practice these styles on your medium to long hair and wear these hairstyles out and about, the more confident you will feel doing them. Read each step carefully, follow along as I show you how to make these fun and chic styles, check your work in the mirror as you go, and soon people will be amazed by your skills! You will feel more confident in your ability because you will know you look great. Whether you have fine, thick, curly, or straight hair, pretty soon you will be able to create such beautiful, intricate styles that all the looks in this book will be easy-peasy and you can start to show your friends how to create them too.

My hope is that this book will inspire you to really get to know your hair, to play around with it more often and discover and try out new ways to wear it. I hope it will help you improve your skills at creating these styles—but most of all, I hope this book will encourage you to be confident in your ability to do your hair, and to love and enjoy it as I have learned to love my own.